What we eat can impact skin health

With blistering summer temperatures, it's essential to take care of your skin by protecting it from the sun. While the first and most effective line of defense is to cover the skin with clothing or sunscreen to protect against UV damage, what we eat also impacts our skin health. Eating a rainbow of produce means getting the full spectrum of different phytonutrients. These natural compounds found in plants help to reduce chronic inflammation and fight disease by neutralizing the free radicals that cause damage to the cells. So when we eat a wider range of colors, we naturally get a wider range of support! Lycopene is part of the carotenoid family. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative stress caused by UV rays. Some studies have also demonstrated a link between lycopene and increased collagen production, which helps to maintain skin integrity. Eat tomatoes, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables also provide carotenoids — like beta carotene — which the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps protect our vision and immune health, and some studies suggest it may help to reduce dark spots and wrinkling. Eat sweet potatoes, orange bell peppers, summer squash, carrots and peaches. Green vegetables offer flavonoids and carotenoids that keep our eyes healthy, and protect against certain types of cancers. Green produce is also higher in vitamin K — an important vitamin for blood clotting, which can help to accelerate wound healing and tissue repair. Eat dark leafy greens like spinach, arugula and kale, cucumbers and broccoli. Blue and purple plants are high in anthocyanins, which can lower risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, and may improve brain health and memory. But blue and purple fruits and vegetables are also rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help protect against damage of UV rays, plays a critical role in collagen synthesis, and promotes wound healing. Eat purple potatoes, eggplant, blueberries, blackberries and purple cabbage. As you enjoy the outdoors this summer, be sure to keep skin healthy by adding a variety of colorful foods to your cart.